The number of students repeating the Leaving Cert has dropped to fewer than 5,000 in the last three years. In the preceding three years the number was heading up towards the 8,000 mark.

Are repeats a disappearing feature on the Irish educational landscape? Are they an endangered species?

The fall in numbers started in 1997, after the introduction of the six-year cycle at second-level. However educationalists believe that the sustained drop-off in the numbers of students repeating their Leaving Cert. is due largely to the increased number of alternative routes open to them.

Students can now continue their education by going on to sectors such as PLC courses. Also more students are now able to avail of an increase in the number of third-level places on offer.

At second level, the development of the three different Leaving Cert. programmes has also meant that more choice is open to students. There are also career routes open to students through bodies such as CERT, FAS, Teagasc, the Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The Leaving Cert. Vocational Programme, which is now on offer in 410 schools, caters for students who want a more enhanced vocational dimension to the Leaving Cert. programme. Students doing this programme must study six subjects from the established Leaving Cert. and in addition take three "link modules". The Leaving Cert. Applied is another programme with the primary objective of preparing students for adult and working life. This programme is offered in 205 schools.

Many students "do not reach their potential first time round", as one teacher at Plunket College in Dublin explains. Students repeat in order to gain more points for entry to college or to obtain the Leaving Cert. standard for a PLC course or entry to a career. Many students can improve their performance significantly if they are fortunate enough to get another chance.

Vincent Kilbane, principal of Colaiste Einde in Galway city, says students repeat the Leaving Cert. for a variety of reasons. Up to half "would have done fairly well already but they wouldn't have achieved the results they wanted". These students include those who want to study medicine or pharmacy or law.

Also, he says, "those who just didn't study properly - there are a certain amount every year who know they can do better". A small proportion may want to change their choice or the emphasis of subject "towards science rather than business, for example", he says.